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Who Inspires You To Be A Better Person

Written by: Laurie Martin

Article Overview: To me a hero is someone whom I admire, someone whom I aspire to be like. A woman named Mildred Norman, she was known as peace pilgrim. I read her story in Dan Millman’s book, Divine Interventions. Mildred was born in 1908 on a small chicken farm in New Jersey and she passed away over fifteen years ago. I'm inspired to be a better person by her remarkable story...

Who Inspires You To Be A Better Person

After her divorce, and at the young age of thirty, Mildred decided to do some soul searching by hiking the Appalachian Trail. During the end of this great feat, while walking alone in the dark woods, out of sheer desperation, she began to pray for a more meaningful way of life. In Mildred’s own words she says, “In that moment, I felt a complete willingness, without reservations, to give my life-to dedicate my life-to service. ‘Please use me!’ I prayed to God. A great peace came over me.” By morning, her old life was gone forever.

Mildred spent three decades traveling by foot across the United States seven times. She worked with emotionally disturbed and senior citizens. She gave away all of her material possessions and attachments. She changed her name to “Peace Pilgrim” and decided to walk across North America spreading the message of peace amongst nations and inner peace. She relied on the generosity of others for food, shelter and clothing. She lived with the few articles of clothing on her back.

On one occasion, she faced a disturbed man attempting to assault an eight-year-old girl. Mildred, know as “Peace” stood her ground gazing at this man. She was starring at his goodness, without any fear, anger or criticism. After her gaze of love, the man finally turned and left without inflicting any harm. Peace spread her amazing message of, “there is a spark of good in everyone, no matter how deeply it may be buried. It is the real you.” This was the divine spark that she addressed in every person.

On another occasion, a man invited her into his car to sleep. She nestled into his car seat with utter trust and fell into a sound sleep. After she awoke several hours later, the man confessed to her that he had planned to rape her but because of her trust in him he was unable to go through with it.

She lived her life in devotion to God. She felt His love, and gave her life selflessly to service. She lived a life of complete “detachment”. ‘Peace’ didn’t doubt her path, her purpose, or her existence. She was dedicated to spreading the message of peace and love. She saw each person’s divinity, and loved each person she came upon. She understood the term “oneness”; she had no need to separate from people. She was so complete within herself, that she saw love inside rapists, robbers, and people with mental imbalances. I admire her unbreakable determination, her warrior strength, and undeniable faith!

The more detached we are-- the “freer” we become. When we are this complete with who we are, then we can embrace and love everyone. Her loved transformed lives and healed many individuals. In my opinion, Love is the best medicine.

I was inspired by this woman’s story to be even more of an instrument of peace! The way I live my life everyday, how I interact with people and how I interact with myself is what matters. I have decided to:
*Smile at everyone I see instead of waiting for them to smile at me first;
*Look for the sweetness inside of people instead of passing judgment;
*Have more patience with others (maybe telemarketers who are just trying to make a living) and my life;
*Have tolerance and put myself in their shoes;
*Show more understanding and sympathy to others acting in a way I may of labeled “rude”, slow, fake, controlling, selfish, self-absorbed, insecure, dishonest, spacey, or unconscious;
*Have patience with life if it doesn’t play out in my time frame or my exact picture.
For more fullfillment in your life, please contact me, Laurie@smileacrossyourheart.com, www.smileacrossyourheart.com. For more information on Peace Pilgrim, or to request her free book, www.peacepilgrim.com

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